Around the NFL: Browns cut ties with troubled Bess after disappointing season

The Cleveland Browns parted ways with troubled receiver Davone Bess yesterday after one
disappointing season and a troubled offseason.

Bess still is owed $3.06 million for 2014, but the Browns might try to recoup some of that
money. Bess, 28, was acquired last April in a trade with the Miami Dolphins, and the Browns signed
him to a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension that included $5.75 million guaranteed.

Bess, though, didn’t deliver on the field and his personal problems built up in recent months.
He finished with career-lows in catches (42) and yards (362) last season, and he had several
crucial drops. He missed Cleveland’s final two games because of personal reasons.

Polamalu, Miller contracts help Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and tight end Heath Miller signed three-year contracts.
Terms were not disclosed, but both contracts are designed to give the Steelers salary-cap
flexibility heading into free agency.

Bills sign safety, skip Toronto game

The Buffalo Bills signed safety Aaron Williams to a four-year, $26 million contract extension,
with approximately $14 million guaranteed, sources said.

The Bills also have postponed their annual game in Toronto, where they have gone 1-5, and could
end the series despite four years remaining in the deal with Toronto-based Rogers Communications.
The Bills cited concerns over giving up a home-field game and poor fan turnout north of the
border.

Quick slants

The Cincinnati Bengals made tender offers to linebacker Vincent Rey and receivers Andrew Hawkins
and Dane Sanzenbacher, leaving them as restricted free agents. The players can negotiate with other
teams as of Sunday, but the Bengals will have the right to keep them by matching any offer. …
Former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Brandon Browner was reinstated by the NFL after his suspension
in December for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse.